Zercher Strength Classic
By Bill Clark
Phil Marlin, normally a strongman contestant and power lifter, has found a new adventure in the odd lifts and came up with his first major win in the USAWA, topping a field of seven in the Zercher Strength Classic in the dingy dungeon of Clark’s Gym.
He continues to amaze with his flexibility in the Hack lift, handling 565 with ease (and a red face above his thick black beard).
The meet was interesting in its makeup and a twist or two of fate. It was offered remote (no one set records off-site), but two lifters without officials made the day worthwhile – and an injury to the leading man with five lifts to go turned a tight battle into an easy victory.
RJ Jackson, lifting on a crude set-up which allowed her to do all 12 lifts, e-mailed her results to take the women’s title. She sent along her thanks for being allowed to be a part of this meet from Corpus Christi, Texas. (I hope the USAWA board is reading this).
From Iowa came the results remote from Joe Garcia, who had no official, though he is the head official of the USAWA. Joe used his bodyweight and age to slip past Columbia’s Jeff Wenzel to take second place. Age made the difference here. Joe was 30 pounds lighter and 22 years older than Wenzel. Joe has “only” 1,350 pounds of weight in his Iowa home gym and that limited him in his two best lifts – the hip and the harness.
For John Carter – it was a bittersweet day. After seven events, he was leading the pack and seemed to be on his way to another Zercher Meet win – an annual event that has been happening for the past quarter of a century.
Ironically, he suffered a left hip injury doing the lift that has made him famous – the hip lift. He struggled to do a bench press and retired with five lifts remaining, leaving Philip an easy road to the title.
Lifts: Zercher Lift; Steinborn Lift; Clean and Press-Heels together; 2 hand Clean and Jerk; Leg Press; Hand and Thigh; Bench Press-Feet in air; Deadlift-heels together; Hack Lift; Harness Lift; Hip Lift; One Hand Deadlift
The three official system was used. Officials are as follows: Bill Clark, Dave DeForest, Tony Lupo
Official results are as follows: